USDA Food Pattern Analysis

The major food groups of the USDA food pattern are the following, fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and milk and milk products (Page 42). Consuming these products will help you maintain a balanced eating pattern. Eating balanced meals will helps us as humans live a better and healthy life because all food groups individually “offer valuable nutrients” (Page 42), which is why it is recommended that every day we choose an item from every food group in order to balance our diet. The nutrients contributed vary depending on the food group you are consuming. Eating fruits such as apples, watermelons, pears and kiwi, will contribute to your body folate, vitamin A and C, potassium and fiber (Page 44). Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, and green bell peppers contribute folate, vitamin A, C, K, E, magnesium, potassium, and fiber (Page 44). …show more content…
Protein foods which can be anywhere from seafood, meats, or nuts contribute protein, essential fatty acids, niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6, B12, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc (Page 45). Milk and milk products contribute protein, riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium, and potassium (Page 45). Now that you as a reader are aware of the nutrients that every food group contributes to your diet you are able to understand why it is recommended to choose one item from every food group. When you choose one item from every food group, you are feeding your body with adequate nutrients that are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In chapter 2 we are also able to learn that Oils can also be essential to our daily meals, although they are not part of the food group they do contribute vitamin E, and essential fatty acids (Page